►Leaders have been particularly successful in bringing about positive change in key stage 4. Older pupils follow a wide range of academic and vocational subjects. The curriculum in key stage 4 is well organised and carefully thought through.
OFSTED May 2024
►The school has overhauled the curriculum offer to ensure that it is broad, ambitious and tailored to pupils’ needs and future success. For example, an increasing number of pupils are choosing to study the English Baccalaureate suite of subjects.
How will this evening run?
5pm - Options presentation 1
Hall
Subject visits
O, T and E block
5:45pm - Options presentation 2
Hall
Subject visits
O, T and E block
Options Timeline
Points to remember:YOU make the decision
Points to remember:YOU choose the subjects YOU enjoy
Points to remember:YOU choose the subjects YOU are good at
Points to remember:Ask for guidance
CORE SUBJECTS
You will all study the following subjects:-
* Mathematics (G.C.S.E.)
* English Language (G.C.S.E.)
* English Literature (G.C.S.E.)
* Science – either 2 or 3 G.C.S.E.s
The core subjects will give you the equivalent of 5 or 6 G.C.S.E. qualifications.
In addition to this you will choose three options.
OPTION CHOICES
In addition to the core subjects there are 3 Option Blocks.
You will also experience PSHRE sessions covering a series of topics including personal and social education, religious studies, relationships, sex education, citizenship, money management, careers and life skills. Everyone still does Core PE.
The English Baccalaureate
The English Baccalaureate (Ebacc) recognises where students have secured a G.C.S.E. grade 4 (standard pass) or 5 (strong pass) or better in the following:-
* English
* Mathematics
* Two Sciences – one can be Computer Science
* French
* Either Geography or History
This is a nationally recognised and sought after performance framework and, where appropriate, we encourage and support students in working to achieve it.
(Labelled EB in the booklet)
FCAT Compass Curriculum Offer
► If you choose this then one of your option subjects will be completed at college on Thursday afternoon
► Leave school approx. 1pm
► 3 hours study
► You will finish at 4:15pm at Blackpool and Fylde college
► You will return to school via coach at 5:15 if you attend Myerscough college
Different types of qualifications
❖GCSE
❖BTEC Tech Awards
❖Cambridge National Certificates
❖Eduqas Technical Award
❖ ALL OF THESE QUALIFICATIONS ARE EQUIVALENT IN POINTS VALUE TO 1 GCSE
Art and Design (GCSE)
Option Block 1
Art specialising in Photography (GCSE)
Child Development (CN Cert)
Computer Science (GCSE)
D & T Food Preparation and Nutrition (GCSE)
Design Technology (GCSE)
Digital Information Technology (BTEC)
Drama (GCSE)
Enterprise (Business Studies) (BTEC)
French (GCSE)
Geography (GCSE)
History (GCSE)
Media Studies (GCSE)
Music (GCSE)
Physical Education (GCSE)
Religious Studies (GCSE)
Sports Studies (CN Cert)
Art and Design (GCSE)
Option Block 2
Art specialising in Photography (GCSE)
Child Development (CN Cert)
Computer Science (GCSE)
D & T Food Preparation and Nutrition (GCSE)
Design Technology (GCSE)
Digital Information Technology (BTEC)
Drama (GCSE)
Enterprise (Business Studies) (BTEC)
French (GCSE)
Geography (GCSE)
History (GCSE)
Media Studies (GCSE)
Music (GCSE)
Physical Education (GCSE)
Religious Studies (GCSE)
Sports Studies (CN Cert)
Art and Design (GCSE)
Option Block 3
Art specialising in Photography (GCSE)
Child Development (CN Cert)
Computer Science (GCSE)
D & T Food Preparation and Nutrition (GCSE)
Design Technology (GCSE)
Digital Information Technology (BTEC)
Drama (GCSE)
Enterprise (Business Studies) (BTEC)
French (GCSE)
Geography (GCSE)
History (GCSE)
Media Studies (GCSE)
Music (GCSE)
Physical Education (GCSE)
Religious Studies (GCSE)
Sports Studies (CN Cert)
Compass Curriculum
Compass
Ascentis Award in Construction (B&F College) - Level 1/2
Technical Award in Engineering (B&F College)- Level 1
VTCT in Hair and Beauty (B&F College) - Level 1/2
Diploma in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (B&F College) - Level 1
ETCAL Certificate in Preparation for Military Service (B&F College) - Level 1/2
NCFE Certificate in Occupational Studies – Animal Care (Myerscough College) - Level 1/2
NCFE Landscape Design and Construction (Myerscough College) - Level 1/2
GCSE Economics (Blackpool Sixth Form) - Level 2 - must study higher maths
GCSE Psychology (Blackpool Sixth Form) - Level 2 - must be in set 1 or 2 English
GCSE Sociology (Blackpool Sixth Form) - Level 2 - must be in set 1 or 2 English
GCSE Ancient History (Blackpool Sixth Form) - Level 2 (must choose History in school)
Acceptable choice
Acceptable choice
NOT acceptable choice
NOT acceptable choice
NOT acceptable choice
NOT acceptable choice
Viability of courses
❖ Please note that the options in each block with the lowest student numbers will not run. Your reserve choices are important and require thinking about.
❖ If your choice and reserve are not running you will need to pick from one of the options that is running.
Points of note
You may not choose Cambridge National Certificate in Sports Studies and GCSE PE as the core elements are the same.
PE department are able to guide choice over appropriate course.
Misconceptions of GCSE PE and Sport Studies
► Sports Studies is considered the “lesser” option compared to GCSE PE.
► This is absolutely not true and both GCSE PE & Sports Studies are of the same weighting and considered equal when applying for further education
► GCSE PE and Sports Studies are options that just require you to play sport each lesson.
► This is the complete opposite with two lessons being theory and one lesson being practical. This is because both specifications are heavily weighted on the theoretical content. Consequently, once the practical element of the course is complete, those practical lessons will then be dedicated to the theory aspect of the course
Points of note
It is not advisable to choose GCSE Computing and BTEC in Digital Information Technology as both courses have significant proportions that are the same.
It is advisable for students to continue to study a breadth of curriculum to the end of Key Stage 4.
WHAT NEXT?
• Students will have a taster morning on the Friday 14th March where they can sample up to 4 different subjects. They will choose these the first week back after half term.
• There are taster days for:
- Myerscough college – Wednesday 19th March (96 places across FCAT)
- Blackpool and Fylde College – Thursday 20th March – 16:00 – 18:00
Then what do we do?
* Complete the online options form with one choice AND one reserve choice in each block.
* Link will be texted out to you
* Option subjects can only run if enough students choose them
* If an option is full you may be asked to take your reserve subject
* Complete the form online by Friday 21st March 2025
Points to remember :-
* YOU make the decision
* YOU choose subjects YOU enjoy
* YOU choose subjects YOU are good at
* ASK for guidance
* You cannot change your options in Years 10 or 11
